Any servers that aren't a rip off ? (4tb+)

Jakeee

Jakeee

Jakeee

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I'm looking for a low profile external set up that doesn't cost as much as a fully function computer. So far, most of them add up to atleast £300-£400 and look terrible. All I want is a decent 4tb storage device thats linked up to my network and WD TV Media player. I don't need a OS on it and would like it to work like a External hard drive preferably, less fuss.

Please recommend me a nice step up, thats quiet and reliable with out a ridiculous price tag :) (I don't mind building one or buying pre built)
 
GeX said:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18216324
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Didn't realise the deal was extended, looks very nice for that price! Does it go hot and how much tb can it hold ? 8-12tb ??

mikeh501 said:
You need to either choose from a NAS device which you dont build yourself, you buy one and put drives in it. Alternatively you could buy a computer (such as the good one linked above) which is small and has capacity to hold 4 drives too.

Good NAS boxes, would be Synology, Netgear, Qnap or Thecus. They arent cheap though to be honest. A cheap one is likely to kick you in the nuts down the line because its performance is likely cack and therefore no good at streaming HD video to your HTPC/WDLive. A good review site is here, http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-charts/view.

The alternative is a computer; preferably low power, low noise etc, but with plenty of storage capability in small form factor chassis. The absolute cheapest way to do this is to buy a HP Microserver as linked above; unless of course you already have a cheap old box you could use instead. See the link above for more info. The upside with this approach is that you can administrate the box like a normal computer and have complete control over it, the downside is that its not as discrete nor energy saving as a purpose built NAS. The microserver however is pretty much ideal.
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You're right, the NAS systems look good but I can't give up that micro server deal, its too good. Will it work on my WD TV Live ? Also will I be able to upgrade it with any sata hard drive (2tb each)
 
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Awesome, can I format the drives into one space ? I don't really want raid0, I just want to open it up like one folder if that makes sense ? Also does it need a OS to run, or can it work like an external network hard drive ?
 
mikeh501 said:
Its a computer just like any other, but in a nice micro server case which takes 4 drives. The machine comes with 1gb of RAM, a single 250gb drive and an atom processor.

So you will need an OS, and the choice of this OS will determine what type of RAID you can do. The built in RAID controller on the machine requires a OS driver to work.

On my microserver I run Windows 7, and have a section of drive 0 which has the OS on it. I then have a stripe set across the remainder of drive0 and across all the remaining drives (total 4 x 2Tb Samsung F4's). This gives me approx 7.5tb (actually more complicated than this, but you get the idea) on a single windows drive. I then have a bunch of folders on that drive shared out so that my living room HTPC can stream from them.

All that being the case, im actually going to nuke it this weekend and install openfiler instead, which will give me more options on the RAID and the ability to use all the disks as the OS runs from a USB stick inside the machine.
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That openfiler sounds good, could you make a tutorial thread when you do it for me :) Also, If I buy 2x2tb now and another 2 on my next pay day, will it be simple to add? Ideally, I would like them to display as one large drive like yourself, could it be done or would it be easier to get all 4 drives at once ? Reply soon as poss, my mouse is hovering over the buy now button :p
 
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mikeh501 said:
get all 4 at the same time, makes life much easier. It is possible to extend a RAID array or stripe set but it depends on the OS or 3rd party tools. Much much easier to just set it up with the whole thing done once.

id also suggest you read that entire other thread as there is tons of useful info in it, with people doing very similar setups.
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What else do I need to consider, I pretty much want it for the same thing as you, streaming my HD movies via WD TV. Will the server and 4 drives be enough or should I consider extra ram and stuff ?
 
RoyMi6 said:
That links just taking me to the overclockers homepage Jake.

I got "Kingston 4GB DDR3 1066MHz Memory Non-ECC CL7 1.5V" and it works perfectly with the built in 1GB chip (5G total). Quick Google shows it for £35

I actually ran it with only the built in 1GB with Windows 7 and 2x2TB mirrored drivers for quite some time before I bothered installing the 4GB memory chip I got with it because it didn't need it. I only installed it because it fell out my drawer one day, still in it's pack :)

I use it pretty much as a NAS but run some other little things on there and had a spare copy of Windows 7, so made sense.

I just got my £100 cash back cheque from when I bought this server (HP ProLiant MicroServer - Athlon II Neo N36L - 1.3GHz - 1GB - 250GB - GbE - £100 CASHBACK) and the above RAM from a certain Electronics BUYER.

Just so you're aware of all the options as well - I happen to use this server, sitting on the network, and an Apple TV 2, hooked up to the tele, that I've Jailbroken and installed XBMC on. Works flawlessly and wouldn't change it for the world.

Saying that, I've never used a WD TV.
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Ok sounds great, the RAM is on their today's offer (OcUK Value 2GB (1x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low-Voltage Single Channel Module) for £11.99, bargain if it works.

Would Windows 7 be an overkill If I want to use it like an external for my network media player similar to your set up ?
 
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